Tag Archives: spiritual growth

Inviting you along to experience how we do community, yoga and living beyond ourselves.

It has been such a blessing for me to be able to find capacity to co-ordinate and co-host this event with my soul sisters. This is a prime example of the power of our sovereign God. His provision is far greater than what you can see with your naked eye. Faith and trust in Him is all He asks and yet we find it so difficult time and time again, but yet so easy to be on bent knees seeking for His help when we need.

So much I’ve learnt through the process of pulling this retreat together in such a short amount of time. Will you come and join us and experience for yourself, first hand, the grace of our Father in your life?

A year ago, I taught my first Holy Yoga Class. From not knowing how to get started, to growing the student database and teaching hours to 3 digits, to media coverage, to workshops… This is a blessed journey.

I still remember my first class of 4 friends in the community room in my estate. God opened doors for me. Then I struggled to find a place to teach and God opened a door again and I held my second public class with 30 people at the Mowbray School hall where I had little teaching experience. I remember having to write down every pose and cue on a sheet of paper together with my sharing and intention for every single class. Class prep consumed my waking hours for the first few months. Now, over 100 classes later, I am far more natural and comfortable teaching without notes. I allow for laughs and tongue-ties when I’m stuck, knowing that students will have grace for me.

I remember making bracelets and praying over those who would receive them, asking God to pour His blessings over them. Now, these bracelets are part of my memories and although I don’t give them out anymore, they have made a mark in my journey.

I remember the excitement I got when someone who finds my classes online emails me about my classes. Now, I need to set aside time to reply emails about classes and instructor training every second day.

I remember when I wouldn’t have a venue to teach after Christmas because the school hall was going under renovations. God opened doors again and found me a proper yoga studio locally. I didn’t even need to flinch. He just gave me what I asked for. All I needed was patience.

I remember when my donation-based pricing caused tension for students and for me. God again, poured His grace, and gave me a way to introduce fixed pricing. Now, everyone is happy with the pricing. (I hope 😜)

I remember wanting to be able to teach at my church. I prayed hard enough that He gave me a volunteer role at the church’s senior school. Now, this time is one of my favourite times of the week; to spend it with the elderly and bring a smile to their face.

I remember when I prayed for more exposure for the ministry here in Australia. I didn’t understand why God sent me down the path of mainstream media, 3rd page of Sydney Morning Herald plus video all over the Internet when I wasn’t prepared for the opposition. I prayed to God for help, only to find more media outlets picking up this controversial topic and my voice, face and words being misconstrued in certain instances. I cried to God for help and realised this was His great plan when a Salvation Army journalist picked it up and covered my story in Truth, finally. And since then, has brought on some more Christians into my class and allowed for my students to come and stand in faith together with me. God graces me. Media coverage with more students? Can’t be right? He is a good good Father.

I remember when my sudden passion and devotion for serving threw my family off balance. Then God sent me a sister to remind me of my priorities as mother and wife. “Family is number one ministry.” She said. And was she right!

I remember when I was called into Holy Yoga Therapy training during this first year and how that added a wealth of knowledge and spiritual depth to my life. Growing up, I’d always wanted a career in health care and wellness. Anything is possible with Him. Even switching careers. God fulfilled that childhood dream. And on the topic of dreams, I really needed one from childhood to be fulfilled

I remember when this Holy Yoga thing consumed me so much that my husband sat me down and said, “Babe, I support you and how our family is serving in Holy Yoga. But you are one person and can’t do this alone. Either you dial down what you do…” (I nearly stopped him right there)”or you find someone to help you.” We prayed on this together and God sent me a partner to work through this together.

I remember getting upset with my husband on the several occasions he was home late or forgot to inform me that he was going to be travelling. (Not unusual in this household. But really something that gets to me). Yet God’s grace shines upon me and I learned to share that grace on others. So, I addressed it with my husband with patience and compassion. My husband learned grace too. He received and gave it back. Often.

I remember the occasions when I had to deal with conflict. Some of which were interpersonal. Some of which were intrapersonal. I experienced, first hand, the power and impact of prayer on my life. I learned about letting go and leaning in.

I remember at points when I felt lonely on this journey in the past 12 months. I remember about the enemy trying to get through the cracks and his dumb illusions. God rescues me by reminding me of this community I am part of. Church, friends, family… My hubby has been so pivotal in this. Together, we stand strong for what we believe and lift each other up when the other falls.

All of this is part of only a beginning.

My biggest joy in serving is being able to touch the lives of those who love yoga and being able to share Scripture with them along the way.
Thank you to my dearest friends and family who have supported my calling and entrusted in me to lead your yoga classes.

God has taught me a thing or two about leaning in to Him, faithfulness and opposition. This Holy Yoga thing has really given me a taste of what the fruit of the Spirit is – love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness & self-control ❤️
For as long as God allows, I’ll serve in this way. Thank You, Heavenly Father!

This year is my first attempt at ‘fasting’. Well, to be exact “coffee- fasting”. It has taken me 3 years to even attempt at ‘giving up’ something for this season.

Have you ever been through the motions of ‘giving up’ something? What was it like? Did you rely on your willpower alone? Or did you anchor your reliance to ‘give up’ on something or someone? In the end, does it matter how you did it or just the fact that you did it? Is it more about reaching the end or the journey through it?

For me, through this season, it’s the journey and the transformation that matters most.

During Lent, many Christians commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries as a form of penitence. Many Christians also add a Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional, to draw themselves near to God.

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you. (Romans 1:11, ESV)

I’m more than halfway through immersion and this week, I’m flying out to Minnesota to finish off my training at retreat.

This training is everything and more that I had wished for. As my husband would say, “Many can only dream about such experience and discerned calling from God. What a huge blessing.” Indeed.

I had wanted to post a lot more regularly about my progress but, as our teacher had warned, this program is full on! Since immersing myself into the training, daily priorities had to shift. I’ve had days where the dirty dishes had to wait ( yes, very difficult to do but remembering “eyes on Jesus” being the focus of the immersion made it easier ). Let alone keeping up blog posts!

In the past 6 weeks, every weekday morning has been religiously dedicated to bible study and holy yoga practise. I’ve made a conscious effort to use pen and paper for my journalling instead of reaching for their digital counterparts, such as Evernote. I’ve resorted to the digital bible already, so I think using or and paper for journalling is a happy compromise. Low and behold, it definitely helps with calming the mind and structuring thoughts. Perhaps I should use pen and paper more often.

I found my daily journalling to be very grounding. I was talking to a friend about it the other day and here’s how I described it,

“You know what I’ve realised? It’s really hard to be a bad person when you have to read the bible every morning and immerse yourself in His Word. You can be angry overnight, woke up on the wrong side of bed even. But when you quieten down and meditate on the Word in the morning, all of yesterday’s anger/sorrow is disolved and you start your day renewed, filled with energy and love.”

It’s amazing how God touches you. You only need to try a little and He does most of the work for you. He is so faithful.

Combining my scripture journalling with the holy yoga practise is just powerful. You’ve just poured yourself with the living water mentally, then you move on to a physical devotion and meditation to worship Jesus on the mat. What better way to start each day!

My connection with God has been strengthened far more than I could ever imagine since starting my Holy Yoga journey. I once thought that I was one of those ‘logical people’ who would be able to digest the Scriptures in a pragmatic, matter-of-fact way, allowing me to live out the deeds through the knowledge. No, God has proven me wrong. The Scriptures are very personal, as it is and should be. It is a personal revelation and experience that once you have experienced, you will feel. Not just ‘know‘. You will FEEL.

Some days I sit back and wonder how I could have done what I have done in the past 6 weeks – managing 2 kids, running the household and having all the energy to dedicate to the Holy Yoga training. I tell you, none could be done without God’s grace. And everything can be achieved in His glory.

Thank you, Father. Thank you, Jesus for calling me into this path.

It has been wonderful.

Now that I am nearing the end of the course, I have mixed emotions of excitement and anxious on what the next steps will look like. It feels like the end is near yet it is only the beginning. Lord, I need not fear because I know that You called me into this. I just need to trust.

Next week I’m off to the U.S., transitting through LA to Minnesota. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has planned for us at retreat. I can only imagine all good things!

P.S. I’ve registered for the Therapy Program! Very exciting news and yes, another year of study ahead of me. I’ll save story this for another post.

I’ve not enjoyed studying so much in my life! And to think it would be Bible study that I am enjoying is far from the imagination even just 10 years ago.

Growing up in a Catholic convent, Bible study was a gruelling chore. I only knew the Scriptures for the exam questions.

I will still need to sit my exam at the end of Holy Yoga retreat. But today, Scripture study is far from gruelling. It is a joy; a passion. I read and re-read the same passages over. I turn every page of the Bible like an inquisitive, curious child fascinated by the characters of Narnia.

The more I delve into the depths of The Word, the more I realise how little I am, how little I know, how much more I need to learn and most importantly, how much more I need to LOVE.

It’s true that when you are inquisitive and curious, you open doors to learning. Every day, I am learning something new. Learning is a humbling experience and a journey that we should all embark on, every day and for the rest of our lives.

“Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” Psalms 119:12-16

Thank you, Jesus, for bringing me here and your love and continued guidance on my journey.